Canadian Wildlife

Patrick Colgan is associate director of programs at the Canadian Museum
of Nature in Ottawa.

The subjects of this book are large nonfish vertebrates, especially
those species of interest to hunters. An introduction to the natural
history and agencies that have developed to manage (or enjoy) this
richness is followed by a regional survey that covers the marine and
terrestrial life of the Pacific Coast; adaptations to low temperatures
in the Arctic; the geology and biogeographic consequences of the
Rockies; the Prairies as the setting for the first bird sanctuary on the
continent; and Eastern Canada and the Atlantic Coast, both of which
regions have seen declines in many species. The photographs are
impressive, although a robin disappears in the centrefold and a second
portrait of a marten is unindexed.

The text is informative, emotive, and succinct. The presentation is
straightforward, without much interpretation, and there are occasional
small imperfections, such as a confusion of temperature and chill
factor, and reference to design (rather than evolution) of biological
features. (Only an author who lives west of the Rockies would not
include the St. Lawrence as one of the nation’s mightiest rivers.)
There is an index, but regrettably no bibliography for further
reference. Nevertheless, to all those wishing to celebrate the natural
heritage of Canada, this book will be welcome.